Court documents allege a breath test showed 57 microgrammes of alcohol in a sample of breath – 35 is the legal limit. PC Norton, 41, appeared before district judge Gerald Chalk at Furness Magistrates Court last week.

He refused to enter a plea with the judge directing a not guilty plea, according to court documents.

He has been remanded on unconditional bail until June 16. PC Norton has previously been praised by Lancashire Police for his work.

In 2013 he received a bravery award from Chief Constable Steve Finnigan and Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire Clive Grunshaw.

He was rewarded for his actions which saved a woman from an attack by a bull terrier. In order to free the woman, PC Norton gripped the dog around the mouth.

Despite being repeatedly bitten, he fought the dog off and saved the woman from further injury.

Lancashire Police confirmed PC Norton had been on duty at the time of the incident and has been suspended. The force said it was unable to comment further while the court case was ongoing.

The Gazette approached the Police Federation, which represents serving officers, but nobody was available for comment.